Picking a good church in this lukewarm, Laodicean church age is very difficult.
Regarding this present time, Jesus tells of religious deception in Mt 24:4,
Mk 13, and Lk 21. He tells of this being a time when the saints are in a state
of slumber and sleep-ref Mt 25:4. Jesus shows us clearly that this period of
time is one in which the church believes it is in great condition, but does
not know it is wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-ref Rev 3:17. It
is a lukewarm church age that will be spit out-ref Rev 3:16. With religious
deception and unbiblical doctrines running rampant and very few recognizing
it, finding a good church can be difficult. There are very few around.Throughout the world, most
Christian churches have mixed doctrines of men, doctrines of their denomination,
doctrines of other religions, doctrines of tribes, doctrines of their culture,
doctrines to please people, or doctrines of other things along with Christianity.Many people throughout the
world that profess to be a Christian are illiterate. Thus, they can be easily
led astray by ministers that say, God says this or that.In other cases, many that profess
to be a Christian and are able to read may only read a few Bible chapters per
week. Their knowledge of God’s Word is very limited.It is the same with ministers.
Most only read and study a few chapters per week, some even less. In some cases,
ministers may not even possess a Bible, nor the people in their congregations.In addition, new doctrines
are springing up in many churches and denominations that would shock the apostles.Biblical repentance is no longer
understood by most. Such subjects as denying oneself is laughed at. Subjects
such as sacrifice and suffering are things that have disappeared from the teachings
in many churches.In addition, this is the age
of the lukewarm Christian church that will be spit out at the judgment.A very well-known evangelist
has indicated that in many communities in the United States, there is no longer
a good, Bible teaching and believing church to be found.The problem may start with
lukewarm Bible colleges, and then filters down into lukewarm churches that want
to please men more than they want to please God. The problem continues with
missionaries that go overseas. Often (but not always), they are from lukewarm
churches and take with them lukewarm teaching and unbiblical doctrines and fads,
and spread these teachings overseas. In addition, they often do not understand
or investigate the sinful tribal or cultural traditions that have crept into
and polluted the Christian churches in many countries. Often if they do understand,
they will not take a stand against those things that are wrong for fear of offending
someone, such as their host or someone in authority.This is not to say that every
Bible school, or church, or preacher or missionary is this way. There are a
"few" that are zealous for Jesus according to knowledge, but the number
is very small and getting even smaller as we approach the time for the Rapture.
When the Rapture comes, the lukewarm, compromising Christians will be left.

Thus,
the topic of picking a good church is a very difficult and complex one. The
reason this is such a touchy subject is that many churches these days have unsaved
preachers, priests, and rabbi. In many other cases, the preacher may be saved,
but may be teaching some of the numerous new deceptions that have come forth
in this Laodicean age.

SOME
GUIDELINESFOR
PICKING A GOOD CHURCH

Please do not take offense. How can you know which is which? The answer always
lies in the Bible. You need to study your Bible carefully, and if your church
does not teach as the Bible does, run from that church and find one that does.
You might ask, "Could you give me some guidelines?" Here are a few.Look
for altar calls in the church. Look for your preacher to encourage those
who have not received Christ to come forward at the end of the service and to
repent of their sins, and to say a sinner’s prayer.Another guideline is to make
sure the church is not a member of the National Council of Churches
(NCC) or the World Council of Churches. If it is, run from it.Another guideline is, does
your church do baptism as the Bible commands? Do they baptize people by full
immersion (into the water), AFTER a person believes in Jesus and has repented
of their sins? The Bible is unmistakably clear that we are to be "buried
with Jesus," buried in the water. If your church does not teach this way,
run from that church. If they do infant or sprinkling baptism, leave.If the church does not baptize
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, run from
that church. Do not argue with them. Just get away fast, lest you also become
deceived.Does your church believe that
the whole Bible is the perfect Word of God?Does your church believe
that Jesus Christ is God?Do they believe and confess
that Jesus is the Christ, Who came to this earth in the flesh, as in
1 Jn 4:2,3, and 2 Jn 7.If you go to any church that
teaches "it" is the "only" way, run from that church.
A church doesn't save any one. It is by faith in the name and shed blood of
Jesus Christ.Any church that teaches the
worship of the virgin Mary, run away.Any church that teaches to
pray to dead saints, run away.Any church that practices ancestor
worship or condones the practice of it by others, run away.Any church that uses astrology,
in any way, run away fast.Any church that prays in
any name other than Jesus Christ, run away.Any church that consults
the dead, flee from that church.Any church that uses any
kind of trinkets, idols, or any objects for worship, get away from that
church. Jesus Christ is the only way.Any church that does not teach
Bible prophecy and the Revelation, go from that church.Any church that does not believe
the Rapture comes before the Tribulation, leave that church.Any church that does not believe
in the three Persons of the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God
the Holy Spirit, run from them. This is covered in more detail under doctrines—The
Trinity.Any church that does not teach
the whole Bible, get away from it. For example, some churches may preach
only the Epistles and others only the Psalms or Proverbs. Some may only teach
the Old Testament; while others may only teach the four Gospels. Some may not
teach the Bible at all. Run from all of these.Some claim to be Christian,
and great healings appear to take place; but the healings are not done
in the name of Jesus, or the healings deceive people and lead
people away from Jesus. Run from these.Another thing to look for,
but is difficult to find, does the preacher use a lot of Scripture when he
preaches? Regretfully, most preachers, including those that are born-again
these days, go on and on with vain janglings, or stories about themselves, and
their families, and things that happened to them. Some even quote from other
books and other people, while using no more than a couple verses of Scripture
in their whole sermon; however, the use of much Scripture alone is not an indication
that the pastor is born-again or that it is a good church. Many cults also use
Scripture; but they use it incorrectly.Watch out for churches that
are only ceremonies and for those that do not encourage you to bring
your Bible to the service. Run from these, and don’t look back.Some churches sing, and
sing, and sing, and there is very little instruction from God’s Word. Run
from these.If the church does not emphasize
repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, leave that church.Run from churches that regard
any other book on the same level as the Bible.Any church that claims their
leader is infallible, get away from it.Beware of any church whose
leader is living in fornication, adultery, homosexuality, or has more than
one wife. Flee from that church. In some countries, perhaps as much as 80%
of the population (including "so-called" Christian preachers) are
not married, but are simply living with someone according to tribal or cultural
traditions.

Beware
of any preacher that does not display the attitude of Christ—the fruits of the
Spirit. A person that is close to God should have an attitude of humility, brokenness
before the Lord, and meekness. The attitude we should have is to be a SERVANT
OF ALL-Mk 9:35. Mt 20:27-AND WHOSOEVER WILL BE CHIEF AMONG YOU, LET HIM BE YOUR
SERVANT. Ja 4:6-WHEREFORE HE SAITH, GOD RESISTETH THE PROUD, BUT GIVETH GRACE
UNTO THE HUMBLE.Beware of any church whose
leader claims to be an apostle. Run away. This is not the attitude of
humility, meekness, and the fruits you are to follow.Beware of any preacher that
goes about pridefully claiming to be a prophet of God. Mt 24, Lk
21, Mk 13, and Jeremiah all show us clearly that this is an age of many false
prophets. If you know and understand the Scriptures, then you know these
things are true. The subject of false prophets in this generation should be
covered in other categories on this site. There is prophesying in some churches;
however, regretfully, almost no churches anymore examine what is being spoken
by God’s Word. As a result, many prophecies are coming forth that are unbiblical.
Some false prophecies even come forth on the radio or television. Some are published
in religious magazines, yet are called the Word of God. If you've read this,
from now on you can't say you didn't know.Beware of anyone that might
come to you and say, "God told me to tell you this or that."Warning: if your preacher does
not believe in teaching on Bible prophecy, the Revelation, and
is not teaching that Jesus Christ may soon return, run from that church.
However, be warned. Even though a preacher may have many college degrees,
these are no guarantee that he is walking with God.

If
you are unable to find a good, Bible teaching church in this lukewarm church
age, then get alone with the Lord; study, study, and study your Bible and draw
closer to Jesus through His Word. Get to know Jesus. If you have found
a good, Bible teaching church, then support it; but remember that your allegiance
is to Jesus above all things. Obey the Gospel. Never try to split or break up
any church. It is written, Mt 15:12-14-THEN CAME HIS DISCIPLES, AND SAID UNTO
HIM, KNOWEST THOU THAT THE PHARISEES WERE OFFENDED, AFTER THEY HEARD THIS SAYING?
BUT HE ANSWERED AND SAID, EVERY PLANT, WHICH MY HEAVENLY FATHER HATH NOT PLANTED,
SHALL BE ROOTED UP. LET THEM ALONE: THEY BE BLIND LEADERS OF THE BLIND. AND
IF THE BLIND LEAD THE BLIND, BOTH SHALL FALL INTO THE DITCH.The Scripture tells us in Heb
10:25-NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER, AS THE MANNER OF SOME
IS…AND SO MUCH THE MORE, AS YE SEE THE DAY APPROACHING. This is a command to
believers. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing;
and all the more as you see the day approaching (as you see the day approaching
for the soon return of Jesus Christ). God’s Word is commanding us to keep assembling
together, and do not forsake it. We need fellowship with other strong believers
(as evidenced by their fruits). So many people say they are a Christian, but
refuse to obey what God tells them to do. God wants you to go to church and
often. Not just on Sundays. Note the church in Acts 2:46-AND THEY, CONTINUING
DAILY WITH ONE ACCORD IN THE TEMPLE, AND BREAKING BREAD FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE,
DID EAT THEIR MEAT WITH GLADNESS AND SINGLENESS OF HEART. Note, they continued
daily. Separate from unbelievers, and fellowship with believers. Ecc 4:9,10,12-TWO
ARE BETTER THAN ONE; BECAUSE THEY HAVE A GOOD REWARD FOR THEIR LABOUR. FOR IF
THEY FALL (now Satan will do all that he can to cause you to fall back into
your old sinful ways), THE ONE WILL LIFT UP HIS FELLOW: BUT WOE TO HIM THAT
IS ALONE WHEN HE FALLETH; FOR HE HATH NOT ANOTHER TO HELP HIM UP. AND IF ONE
PREVAIL AGAINST HIM, TWO SHALL WITHSTAND HIM; AND A THREEFOLD CORD IS NOT QUICKLY
BROKEN. Beware, Satan is far more crafty than people realize. Beware of how
Satan may try to get you away from a good, Bible teaching church, if in fact
you are attending one. He may try to get you to attend a church that teaches
less Scripture and less accurately. Remember to examine all things in light
of God's Word.